Vapor heating system



A rily12, 1938. J. VAN V ULPEN 'vAPoR HEATING- SYSTEM Filed March 22, 1937 V 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 1 1933- J. VAN VULPEN 2,113,775

' VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM Filed March 22, 1957' v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I w w W F N Joan %1%/ m Patented Apr. 12, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2.113.115 vsroa nan-rise. SYSTEM I .Iohn Van .Vlilpen, Chicago,

Ill..- assignor to Vapor Oar Heating Company, Inc., Chicago, BL, a corporation of New York Application'Mareh 22, 19:1. Serial'No. 132,211

Claims. (01. ear-4o) This invention relates to a new and improved vapor heating system, more especially to a heating system oi the steam or vapor type particularly adapted for heating passenger railway cars.

i It is customary in such railway car heating systems to provide radiating pipe loops which extend longitudinally of the car near the floor line either adjacent to or within the side wall of the car. The iiow'of heating fluid into and through 0 these pipe loops is regulated by suitable valves either manually, or thermostatically controlled. According to the present invention, auxiliary radiating loops, preferably of the finned type to secure extended surface radiation, are positioned at suitable intervals within the side wall of the car, there being preferably at least one of these auxiliary heaters for each separate car space or compartment. A special directing valve is provided for each auxiliary heater. This dim recting valve is connected in a horizontal run.

of the'main radiating loop and is adapted to alternatively cause the heating fluid to ilowdirectly'through the main loop or alternatively direct the fluid. or a portion thereof. through the auxiliary radiator so as to provide additional radiating surface.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved heating system of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow. I

Another object is to provide a vapor heating system in which the amount of radiating surface in service in any particular portion of the car or space to be heated can be manually selected. x

Another object is to provide an improved type of concealed radiation for railway cars.

Another object is to provide an improved directing valve for heating systems.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form ofapparatus designed and operating according to the principles of this invention.

in. the accompanying drawings:

, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a railway car equipped with the improved heating system.

Fig. 2 is an elevation. partially broken away; of a portion of the sidewall of a car with the heating equipment mounted therein.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through 66 the improved directing valve.

erably the upper run i Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring first to Fig. l, at A is diagrammatically illustrated the outlines of a railway car, preferablyoi' the Pullman type. In the example 5 here'shown this car is provided with a central aisle B and is divided into a plurality of separate spaces to be heated, indicated at C, C20". etc. These spaces C may be separate compartments or bed-rooms or might be simply the spaces be- 10 tween seats within the car. The heating system comprises a main radiating loop D extending longitudinally of the car adjacent the floor and one side wall. A main regulating valve E governs the control of heating fluid from the main l6 steam supply pipe F into and through the main radiating loop D. The main radiator D comprises an upper pipe run i which extends from valve E through a certain length of the car, is then looped at 2, and returns through a lower run I to the regulating valve. The valve E may be controlled manually, or preferably electrically from a thermostat, indicated diagrammatically at G. When a lowered temperature calls for additional heat. the valve E is moved to open position whereupon 25 steam from the source F flows through the pipe loop D. When the desired temperature has been established valve E is closed, thereby cutting of! the loop D from the supply oi. steam. Provision is made for allowing condensate to drain from 30 the pipe loop. Heating systems of this type are well known in the art. It will be understoodthat separate heating systems'of this type are provided for each side of the car, as indicated in Fig. 1. In the case of long cars, there may be 5 four oflthese systems. two for each side of the car.

each radiating loop D extendingthrough about half the length-of the car.

According to'the present invention an additional' short radiating loop H, preferably of the 40 finned type, is provided for each compartment or space C. An improved directing valve K connects the ends of the auxiliary loop H with prefof the main radiating 7 loop D. By means of valve K a portion of the 45 steam flow may be shunted through the auxiliary heater H when additional heat is required within any selected compartment C.

It will be understood that the main radiator D and the auxiliary radiators H will ordinarily be 5 positioned vertically either adjacent or within the side wall of the car, but for convenience oi! illustration, these elements have been disposed horizontally in the diagrammatic showing of Fig. 1. a

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and at L is indicated a portion of the car side wall extending from the floor 4 up to the window sill, indicated at 5. This portion of the wall is hollow between an outer sheathing 6 and. the inside wall '7 and is divided by a plurality of upright posts or standards 8 into a plurality of separated wall spaces, one of which is indicated at 9. The radiating systems hereinafter described are located in some or all of these wall spaces 9, and each such space 9 is provided in the inner wall 'I with a lower inlet grille I0 and an upper outlet grille II. Insulating material I2 is positioned between the outer sheathing 6 and a metallic shield or reflector I3. Air flows in through grille I0, thence upwardly in contact with the radiators, and the heated air flows back into the car through the upper grille II. 'At I4 in Fig. 3 is indicated a portion of a folding bed and it will be noted that the heated air is discharged into' the space above this bed or-seat.

The upper and lower pipe runs I and 3 of the main radiator D extends slidably through and Hot and cold wash water pipes I1 and I8 (see- Fig. 3 may also be supported at I9 on the uprights 8 and housed within the said wall L. Y

The auxiliary radiating loop H comprises an upper pipe 20 connected by end loop fitting 2| with a lower return pipe 22. The other ends of radiating pipes 20 and 22 are connected, respectively, by the inlet and return pipe fittings 24 and 24' with the directing valve K, as hereinafter described. This auxiliary radiator H may be supported in any suitable manner within wall space 9, and is preferably'constructed of rather thin metal piping provided with a plurality of radiating, fins 23 so that a large radiating surface is provided on a comparatively short loop.

' The improved valve K is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in connection-with Figs. 2 and 3. The main valve casing is formed with a lower horizontal steam passage 25 connecting the aligned inlet and outlet ports 26 and 21 into which are connected the endsof sections of upper pipe I of I the main radiating loop D. Consequently this lower passage 25 forms substantially a continuation or portion of the conduit through main radi ating pipe I. Preferably the lower passage 25 is divided by a longitudinally extending horizontal web or partition 28 into a lower duct 29 and an upper duct 30. The lower duct 29 is open at all times so as to permit a continuous flow of steam through upper radiating pipe I. The valve casing is also formed with an upper passage '3I that curves upwardly at' its ends to communicate with outlet port 32 and inlet or return port 33 into which are respectively connected'the pipe fittings 24 and 24' leading to and from auxiliary radiator H. The valvecasing is also formed with a central cylindrical valve chamber 34 through which the passage 3I and upper duct 30 extend.

A rotary valve member 35 is closely fitted with in valve chamber 34. This valve member comprises a rear wall or disc 38 rotatable against the disc 31, the discs 36 and 31 being connected by a central diametrically extending web 38. Rotary valve member 35 is held'in place within chamber 34 by the closure plug 39 screwed into the main valve casing at 49. The rotary valve stem 4| extending outwardly from valve member 35 'is journaled in plug 39 and "also in a second plug or gland 42 threaded into plug 39 at 43. Sealing gaskets 44 and 45 mounted in the respective plugs and expanded by an interposed spring 46, prevent the escapeof heating fluid around the stem 4|. The shaft or stem 4I extends out through the inner wall I of the car (see Figs. 2 and 3) and is .there provided with an. operating crank or handle '41. Preferably operating handle 41 moves along a fixed quadrant 48 between steps 49 and 50, the quadrant being suitably inscribed to indicate when the valve is in either openor closed positions. It may here be noted that for convenience of illustration the valve is shown in closed position in Figs. 4 and 5, whereas the valve handle is shown in open position in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will now be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 4 that when the movable valve member is adjusted to the closed position there shown, the web 38 will completely separate the lower passage 25 from the upper passage 3|, and the supply of heating fluid to the auxiliary radiator H will be cut oil. The fluids will flow through both the upper and lower ducts 33 and 29 of the lower passage, directly through the valve casing as a continuation of the upper pipe I .oi'.the main heating loop and the main radiator will function as if the auxiliary radiator were not present. On

' the other hand, if the web 38 of the movable valve member is moved into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 (that is, the movable valve member is rotated through an angle of 90) the steam or vapor entering through upper duct 30 will be diverted upwardly through the auxiliary heating loop H, the fluids returning to the other side of the valve and the outlet portion of upper duct 30 and thence passing back into the main pipe I. The heating system would operate satisfactorily if I the lower open duct 29- were omitted and all of the steam flow were directed through the auxiliary heating loop. However, there are certain distinct advantages in the use of the constantly open lower duct 29. When the valve is opened'to admit steam to the auxiliary radiating loop, the continuous flow of steam through lower duct 29 tends to draw fluids through the upper passages and auxiliary radiator and thus expedite the filling of the auxiliary radiator withheating medium. This lower duct 29 also facilitates. the drainage of condensate through the pipe I. The direct flow of steam through the lower duct 29 also expedites the supply of steam to more remote radiators 'of the system, thus tending to equalize the steam supply and expedite the filling of the system after a period during which the steam supply has been completely cut oil! at the main valve E.

In the general operation of the system, the supply of steam to both the main and auxiliary radiating systems is controlled, preferably thermostatically, by the main valve E. Under'certain circumstances sufflcient heat may be provided by the main radiating loop D, in which case some or all of the auxiliary radiators H may be cut oil by turning the respective valves E to the closed position. If additional radiation is desired, or found necessary, in any one or more selected spaces C, C, etc., the respective valve or mam valves K for these spaces are moved to open posii said passage being divided by a iongitudinally'ex- H. 'In any event, the supply or steam to-the entire radiating system willbe cut oil at the main valve E when a certain predetermined maximum temperature is reached at main control thermostat G, regardless of the positioning of the individual valves K. when the steam is again turned on, more heat will be furnished at those locations where the valves K are in open position, than is furnished in those spaces where the valves K are closed. In this way the ear temperature may be automatically maintained within certain desired limits, but the distribution of heat may be manually selected, that is, certain portions of the car may be kept at a higher temperatures than other portions.

I claim:

1. In a heating system, in combination with a main pipe through which a fiowof heating fluid is maintained, and a radiating pipe loop through which heating fluid may be shunted from and back to the main pipe, a directing valve including a casing formed with a lower passage extending between inlet and outlet ports which are connected between sections of the main pipe so that the passage forms a continuation of the pipe,

tending partition into a lower duct and an upper duct; the lower duct being continuously open, the casing also enclosing an upper passage extending between outlet and inlet ports to which the inlet and outlet ends of the pipe loop are respectively connected, both the upper duct and the upper passage communicating with and v\extending through a central valve-chamber formed in the casing, a valve member rotatably positioned in the chamber and movable between two alternative positions in one of which the upper passage is separated from the upper duct, and in the other of which the fluid from the upper duct is shunted through the pipe loop, and valve-member.

2. In a heating system, incombinationwitha main pipe through which a flow of heating fluid is maintained, and a radiating pipe loop through which heating fluid may be shunted from and back to the main pipe, a directing valve including a casing formed with a lower passage extending between inlet and outlet ports which. are con-' nected between sections of themain pipe so that the passage .iforms a continuation of the pipe, said passage being divided by a longitudinally extending partition into a lower duct and an upper duct, the'lower duct being continuously extending between outlet and inletports to which the inlet and outlet ends of the pipeloop are respectively connected, boththe upper duct and the upper passage communicating wlthand extending through a central valve-chamber formed in the casing, a valve member rotatably positioned in the chamber and movable between two alternative positions in-one of which the upper passage is separated from the upper duct, and'in the other of which the fluid from the upper duct is shunted through the pipe loop, and means for oscillating the valve member comprising a stem extending outwardly through the casing from the valve member, a crank-handle on the stem, and

' a quadrant cooperating with the handle to indicate the two positions of the valve.

, 3. In a heating system, a 'source of heating fluid, a main control valve, a main radiating the location of the 1 means for moving the tudinally through the the stem,

control valve, a plurality of spaced apart similar directing valves connected in series with sections of a pipe of the main loop, a plurality of auxiliary radiating pipe loops each havingits inlet and outlet ends connected with one of the directing valves, each valve being iormed with a central valve chamber and upper and lower pasthe upper passage being connected at its ends with the ends of the auxiliary loop, a rotary valve member in the chamber, and means for moving the valve member betweentwo alternative positions in one of which the auxiliary loop is cut oil from the fluid supply and both ducts are open for the direct flow of fluid through the main loop, and in the other of which the fluid in the upper duct, is shunted through the auxiliary radiating loop.

4. A directing valve for a heating system comprising a valve casing formed with a central valve-chamber, a lower passage extending longitudinally through the casing between, inlet and pipe loop extendingi'rom and back to the main outlet ports and divided by a longitudinally extending partition-into upper and lower ducts, the

upper duct communicating with and forming a the upper duct and in the other oi! which the web divides the upper ductand upper passage and directs fluid from one portion of the upper 'duct into one. portion of the upper passage and also I from the other portion of the upper passage into the other portion of the upper duct, and means ior moving the valve member;

5. A directing valve for a heating system comprising a valve casing formed with a central valve-chamber, a lower passage extending longicasing between inlet and outlet ports-and divided by a longitudinally extending partition into upper duct communicatingwith and forming' a portion of the chamber, an upper passage also. communicating with the chamber and extending between a second pair of inlet and outlet ports, a valve member rotatably positioned within the chamber and comprising a central webmovable between the alternative positions in one of which .the web separates the upper passagefromthe.

upper duct and in the other or which the web divides the upper-duct and upper passage and directs fluid from one portion of the upper duct into one portion of the upper passage and also from the other portion of the upper passage into the other portion of the upper duct, and means for oscillating the valve member comprising a stem extending outwardly through'the casing, sealing means'about the stem, a crank handle on handle to indicate the two positions of r the valve.

.6. In combination with a railway car divided into a plurality of spaces to be heated, the car comprising a hollow side wall divided vertically into a plurality of wall spaces,:at least oneior each of the said car'spaces, upper and lower upper and lower ducts, the

and a quadrant cooperating with the grilles in the inner wall of each of said latter wall spaces to permit the circulation of air therethrough, a source oi heating fluid, a main control valve connected with the source, a main radiating loop extending from and back to this valve longitudinally of the car through the several wall'spaces, an auxiliary radiating pipe loop positioned in each of the grilled wall spaces, a directing valve for each auxiliary loop, each valve being formed with a central'valve-chamber and upper and lower passages, the ends of the lower passage being connected between sections of a run 01 the main pipe loop so that the lower passage forms a part of-this loop, said lower passage being divided by a longitudinally extend-- a ing partition into upper and lower ducts, the

lower duct being open at all times, the upper duct and the upper e communicating with the valve chamber, the inlet and outlet ends of the auxiliary radiating loop being connected with the respective ends of the upper passage, a rotary valve member in the chamber, and means for- JOHN VAN V'ULPEN. 

